LJ70 Build Thread!

[Leopard]

Look what I found on the bay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251227889573?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

View attachment 6028

For £75 it seems like good value to me, but not sure what postage would be to Aus

Would be a good back up to the one we gave though..............

Good grief, Steven! That's an impressive d-shackle! Wander what it weighs!

 

[Ben]

Look what I found on the bay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251227889573?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

View attachment 6028

For £75 it seems like good value to me, but not sure what postage would be to Aus

Would be a good back up to the one we gave though..............

How come your searching ebay for huge shackles?

Are you mourning the loss of the one you gave me?

 

[Ben]

I went to the monthly meeting of the Dandenong Ranges 4WD Club last night, this is the one I saw at the 4x4 show.

I was a bit nervous to start with as there were a lot of people there, it reminded me of my first Lincomb where I hardly knew anyone. But like Lincomb everyone was very friendly.

It was quite a family thing with lots of kids and families there, and when I arrived they were all having a BBQ and a few beers.

Theyve got loads of trips going on, a big group of them are going to Tassie today for a week. Then in June theyve got an 8 week trip to the Kimberly's which I'd love to go on.

I got friendly with another new member who is about my age and who also happens to be a carpenter. Hes got a really tough Patrol running 36" Simex's.

Hes offered me a set of 31" tyres to put on to get my truck on the road with as there is no way 37"s will be allowed.

The club has access to a big property where challenge events are held! Apparently there will be loads there to challenge my twin locked cruiser on 37"s!

The club is organizing a 4 day trip there over Easter, so that will be my first trip over here this year!

Just hope I can get my cruiser on the road by then.

Otherwise I will jump in with one of the other guys.

So I'm feeling very happy, there a great bunch of guys and have loads of trips running every month. I'm sure I will make many friend through this club which will be nice.

 

[Chas]

Bens boat has come home in more ways than one, the container vessel is now docked in Melbourne. http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/de...=235620000&centerx=115.7442&centery=-32.04485

 

[Paddler Ed]

Alternatively Ben find a trailer (you can hire them from a lot of the servo's) and trailer it there behind a n other 4x4.

Also you don't need an extra category to tow a trailer in Aus, so you're good to tow a car trailer...

 

[clivehorridge]

Hey Ben, sorry to hear about the ticket. I had a spate of 3 major speeding of fences in the UK many moons ago, and only due to the skills of a good lawyer did I avoid losing my license on each occasion.

It taught me a very good lesson and I'm now a confirmed "tootler"!

Otherwise, you seem to be having a ball as predicted !

I got bored with good weather all year round when I was in the Middle East, but you can enjoy it while it's still a novelty.

At least it rains in OZ, that provides some variety, and you will have the winter approaching, whatever that is where you are!

This thread is not only the biggest, but it must also be the most read... Any statistics available from admin...?

Best of luck matey!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Ben]

Thats right Chas so my LandCruiser is now on Australian soil.

Just need to get the container to the bonded warehouse now!

Alternatively Ben find a trailer (you can hire them from a lot of the servo's) and trailer it there behind a n other 4x4.

Also you don't need an extra category to tow a trailer in Aus, so you're good to tow a car trailer...

Good idea Ed.

I do love how all the fuel stations here have trailers for hire.

Weve got loads of trailers here on the farm I could use, but not sure whether I know any of the guys well enough yet to ask them to tow my truck to the property.

Might call one of the guys nearer the time and ask if he knows anyone who might be willing to tow it for me.

 

[Ben]

Hey Ben, sorry to hear about the ticket. I had a spate of 3 major speeding of fences in the UK many moons ago, and only due to the skills of a good lawyer did I avoid losing my license on each occasion.

It taught me a very good lesson and I'm now a confirmed "tootler"!

Otherwise, you seem to be having a ball as predicted !

I got bored with good weather all year round when I was in the Middle East, but you can enjoy it while it's still a novelty.

At least it rains in OZ, that provides some variety, and you will have the winter approaching, whatever that is where you are!

This thread is not only the biggest, but it must also be the most read... Any statistics available from admin...?

Best of luck matey!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Thanks Clive.

I'm looking forward to being able to post about my truck again when I've got it back.

I want to get on as many trips as possible!

 

[Ben]

Been busy building more horse jumps.

Soaking the planks in the pool made bending them for the boat much easier.

This jump is supposed to be a tent and will have canvas material covering it.

Put a spire/pointy roof on the church tower.

Drilled holes in the flower bed/planter jump and pushed fake flowers in the holes.

Really enjoyed the flower arranging and I'm now thinking of becoming a florist.

Got to drive the Manitou all day yesterday.

Moving dirt around.

Taking old jumps down and then pulling the posts out.

The lake is taking shape, few more jumps to go in and a few more to come out. Obviously it still needs filling with water to.

Also got the boat finished. This will go in or near the lake.

Going to chase the people up at the bonded warehouse today. I'm worried if they dont have the container before the weekend it will cost me a lot more money as the container is only allowed on the dock for a few days, after which they charge a few hundred $'s per day.

When I blew the front diff at the last Lincomb I was in a rush to get it repaired before the Wales laning trip where the cruiser ended up on its roof. In my rush to source a replacement diff and get it fitted with only week before the trip I ended up being conned out of £170 by some one claiming to have a front axle which they didnt have.

Well this week that f***** w***** was jailed for 4 years!

http://www.sussex.police.uk/whats-h...ies/2013/03/14/crawley-man-jailed-for-frauds/

 

[Paddler Ed]

Good idea Ed.

I do love how all the fuel stations here have trailers for hire.

We've got loads of trailers here on the farm I could use, but not sure whether I know any of the guys well enough yet to ask them to tow my truck to the property.

Might call one of the guys nearer the time and ask if he knows anyone who might be willing to tow it for me.

I might be towing a car from VIC to NSW if I get everything sorted out quickly enough; found a 4Runner I like in Ballarat (my mate is happy to go check it out for me) and I'd get him to buy it, cash the remaining rego in and store it on his property, along with all the other cars... I'm sure his wife wouldn't notice it... then it would be a case of towing it up to NSW and getting it Blue Slipped and rego'd up there. There's nearly always a car that needs moving from NSW/ACT/VIC so the trailer wouldn't run the whole way empty. Alternatively I can do it on an Unregistered vehicle permit it seems...

Can't justify getting another 'Cruiser, but a 4Runner is a bit smaller and economical... I reckon with a 4Runner like that and another old Volvo I can get 2 cars on the road for under $4k

When borrowing a trailer make sure it's fully functioning... we're lucky in that we know someone with a trailer that we can borrow ($50 or so does the trick, especially if it's cash, if he's not using it) and know that it's looked after.

Check whether you can move your 70 on an unregistered vehicle permit to get it to the inspection station; having a quick look it seems you can, so that'll save some money and faff.

 

[Chas]

Not a FLORIST Ben, you'll have to buy a BMW

 

[Ben]

 

[Ben]

At 1pm today I went to the bonded warehouse and there waiting for me was my container!

After cutting the 2 seals off with bolt cutters I was in.

After undoing the ratchet straps and removing the top wheel/tyre the bottom one wouldnt move.

I managed to wrestle it free, only to discover it was stuck to the floor.

I noticed the underside looked a little bit dirty.

Everything looked OK, and it didnt look like much had moved during its 13,000+ mile journey!

Needed to reconnect the batteries.

I knew she would start easy and start easy she did!

Half a turn of the key and she fired straight up.

Used a sack truck to cart everything into the bonded warehouse.

Not a single item broken.

Even the mirror survived intact.

Got the container emptied.

Every single tyre was stuck to the floor of the container. Crazy!

The girl at the bonded warehouse said I should empty the truck to make it easier for the quarantine inspector.

I borrowed a sponge and bucket out of the wash bay so that I could clean the underneath.
In the wash bay were 2 very rusty 101 forward control landrovers that some one had imported.

Container emptied I had to get back to work.

Back in the Manitou.

My souvenir from the day.

If everything goes smoothly with the quarantine inspector on Tuesday, then I will finally get my truck back!

 

[TonyP]

Made me smile seeing your truck again. Good luck with the clearing, I hope it all goes smoothly

 

[Trevor]

Great news Ben nice to see the truck in all it's glory, bet it's felt like you've been without a body part while it's been on it's journey. Can't wait to see some pics with it on the Aus trails.

 

[froggy Steve]

Great news, but what the heck was the sticky stuff that stuck it to the floor?
STeve

 

[Shayne]

Great news, but what the heck was the sticky stuff that stuck it to the floor?
STeve

It's own weight , just like parking on a ferry .

 

[TonyP]

Great news, but what the heck was the sticky stuff that stuck it to the floor?
STeve

Possibly sea spreay?

 

[froggy Steve]

That counjers up all sorts of images........sailers, nice car, at sea all those weeks...................

soz
Steve

 

[ModelMakerMan]

Or it got really hot in the container and the tyres went a bit squishy?